Migraine and depression: do they have common causes?

Migraine and depression: do they have common causes?

Two conditions that have made life a misery for many people over the years are migraine and depression. Migraine is a neurological disorder in its own right, and one we regularly return to on this blog. Depression, on the other hand, is a mental health condition that can involve low mood, loss of interest and motivation, and feelings of hopelessness. Depression is an affective disorder (relating to mood and emotional state) and tends to be episodic, meaning it can come and go.

Unfortunately, migraine and depression often occur together. Many people with migraine also experience depression, and the reverse is true too.

Researchers have been looking into why these two conditions so often occur together, and have come up with some ideas about what might be behind the connection. One possibility is that migraine and depression might share underlying causes or “pathomechanisms”. In this article, we’ll explore all of this, as well as what it could mean for preventing headaches.

Migraine: common and rarely comes alone

It’s difficult to know exactly how many people are living with migraine, but the figures from various studies suggest that it affects between 14% and 20% of the population. According to more recent statistics from the German Neurological Society (DGN), the one-year prevalence of migraine is between 10% and 15%. In other words, at least one in ten people experience migraine. Genetic factors have long been known to play an important role in migraine. In fact, studies have now identified more than 100 genes in which small changes may contribute to the development of migraine.

Given this complexity,  it’s hardly surprising that migraine often occurs alongside other conditions. We’ve already looked at some of the conditions that occur alongside migraine, known as “comorbidities”, including high blood pressure, epilepsy, and stroke. Research has also pointed to a link between migraine and mental health conditions. These include depression and anxiety disorders, both of which are common, affecting approximately 8% (anxiety) and 12% (depression) of the population, respectively. There’s also evidence that migraine and depression each increase the risk of developing the other, which may help explain why they so often occur together. This is known as a “bidirectional” relationship, meaning it works both ways. Connections like this are common when two conditions share biological causes.

Genetic changes in the spotlight

Researchers have already found quite a few clues pointing to possible common causes. Genetics (the study of heredity) provides important research insights in this area. Studies have identified a wide range of changes in human genetic material, each with different effects. Some changes affect the central processes involved in how pain signals are transmitted and perceived. Others are involved in regulating blood circulation and inflammatory processes in the nervous system, or influence the production and distribution of chemical messengers that help regulate these processes.

The sheer volume of research published on this subject in recent years has helped us understand much more about these connections. Scientific findings show that many of these factors play an important role in both migraine and depression. So far, researchers have not found a single, specific cause that explains why the two conditions occur together. Instead, they have identified a whole range of genetic changes that are very likely to play a role in the development of both conditions.

Shared factors in the development of migraine and depression

A review by a group of researchers from Poland provides a detailed look at the chemical messengers and other substances that could play a role in both conditions. Let’s take a look at some examples.

1. Signals in the nervous system:

The brain contains a number of chemical messengers that transmit signals through the central nervous system. These are known as neurotransmitters. One of these messengers, serotonin, is less readily available in people with depression than in people without the condition. Interestingly, low levels of serotonin can also affect the transmission of pain signals. This can have a negative effect on people with migraine, as it can make them more sensitive to pain. The similarity between the two conditions may be explained by changes in our genetic material. In both conditions, researchers have found changes in a gene that enables serotonin to be transported into cells by producing a certain protein. A defect in this gene could therefore affect both conditions.

2. Inflammatory factors:

Research suggests that the molecule CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide) plays a major role in the development of migraine attacks. We looked at this in more detail in an earlier post. CGRP is a substance that can widen our blood vessels. This helps ensure adequate blood flow and, in turn, a good supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain. CGRP is also involved in triggering and regulating inflammatory processes, two factors that are repeatedly described as triggers of migraine attacks. At the same time, higher levels of CGRP have also been detected in animal models of depression, pointing to another possible link between the two conditions.

3. Hormones:

The female sex hormone oestrogen could also play a role in migraine and depression. Oestrogen has a range of effects on the transmission of signals and information in the nervous system. This is particularly interesting when it comes to serotonin and noradrenaline, as both chemical messengers are involved in the development of depression and also in the transmission of pain. Pain transmission, in turn, plays an important role in migraine. So here, too, the two conditions may have some underlying causes in common.

4. Environmental factors such as stress:

Stress, and especially prolonged stress, can play a major role in triggering migraine. We have already reported on the connection between stress and migraine in this article. Stress is one of the most powerful triggers of migraine attacks and needs close attention in any prevention strategy. If stress keeps building and eventually becomes a constant presence, migraine can develop into a chronic condition. There also seems to be a link with depression, as stress can affect both the body and mind, which in turn can make depression worse.

5. Heredity:

Genes also influence our susceptibility to both conditions. Studies in closely related people, including twins, have found that relatives of people with migraine had an increased risk of developing depression

Nothing is predetermined

While the evidence indicates that the two conditions are linked, it does not mean that everyone with migraine will necessarily develop depression. The more you understand your own migraine, the more opportunities you will discover to prevent attacks or at least make them less severe. One particularly effective approach is to identify your personal migraine triggers and learn how to manage them. It’s also important to get proper medical care. For most people with migraine, simply knowing that you’re not alone in dealing with it can be a huge step forward. Our resources are designed help people build expertise and take an active, informed role in managing their headaches. Our website Headache Hurts gives you all the key information you need, while the app offers practical support in managing migraine day to day. The better you understand and manage your migraine, the more in control you can feel. And that could also help you cope better with depressive symptoms.

Published in September 2026